Yule is the period traditionally celebrated between late December and the end of January, marking winter on the wheel of the year. It is also one of the names given to the Winter Solstice, which falls on or around the 21st December each year.
One of the roots of the name Yule comes from the Norse name for Odin, king of the Norse gods, which was Jolnir. In old Europe, Yule was the name for the Winter Solstice, originating from the Norse word for wheel, Jul.
Traditional Winter Celebrations
For Pagans, Yule is their traditional festival to mark this time of year. On the darkest, longest night, that of Winter Solstice, communities of old gathered around the Yule log to celebrate the birth of the son of the Goddess, the Mabon. Known as the Star Child, this son would become the Sun God, representing the return of Light, and within a few days the nights would begin to shorten.
The Origins of Christmas
Christianity later chose the 25th December to mark the birthday of Jesus Christ, placing it in line with the Pagan Winter Solstice. Before the coming of Christianity, the wise men and women of the community would have announced that the festive magical workings had brought about a return of the Light. This magic would have involved decorating homes, sharing gifts, lighting bonfires, and giving offerings to the gods, such as red berries and seasonal greenery.
Celebrating Yule
To celebrate the returning of Light, folk would bring out their stored food and enjoy cheerful festivities. Even in times of poor harvest, the Star Child would have inspired whatever celebrations were possible. Dances, special songs and the decorating of houses and trees would all take place up until what is now known as Twelfth Night, where the Yuletide feast was brought to an end with a final day of merriment and activities.
Yuletide Traditions
So many of the customs associated with Christmas have their origins in Yule and other Pagan roots. Christmas trees and wreaths echo ancient customs of bringing greenery inside for protection during the winter months. The Yule log is generally a cake nowadays, but originally was an oak branch, used for the winter fire. Chosen for its slow-burning wood with the ability to still produce great heat, part of the oak branch was saved for good luck, and later used as kindling for the next Yule fire.
Red candles are a traditional accompaniment to the Yule cake, representing the hearth flames of old. These were eventually integrated into the decoration of the Christmas tree, which in turn have become the tree lights known and used today.
Yuletide Decorations
The Norse people placed great significance on the enduring symbols of fir, pine, holly and other evergreen plants. Pine in particular is associated with life and rebirth, as many trees can grow from a single cone.
Mistletoe has long been considered a magical plant, sacred to the Celtic druids in particular, as well as the Romans and Greeks. Mistletoe was originally added to other evergreen leaves to create “kissing bushes”, and also has roots in an ancient Norse myth, where the goddess Frigg made mistletoe a symbol of love after her son, Balder, was killed by a mistletoe arrow but later brought back to life by the gods.
Who Celebrates Yule?
Today, Yule is generally considered a Pagan celebration. However, it is a seasonal time that can be celebrated by all, particularly by those wishing to reconnect with nature and the festivals of old, which align with the changing seasons in the wheel of the year.
References:
Cole, Jennifer. Ceremonies of the Seasons: Exploring and Celebrating Nature’s Eternal Cycles. Duncan Baird Publishers, 2007
Green, Marian. A Witch Alone: Thirteen Moons to Master Natural Magic. Thorsons, 2002
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